Aircraft: Cessna 172. Injuries: None. Location: Republic, Wash. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The student pilot was practicing forward slips to a landing for his private pilot checkride, which was scheduled for the following day.
He had logged 130 hours, of which 39 hours was as pilot-in-command. He performed a no-flap landing and when he applied the brakes, the airplane turned to the right and veered off the runway and hit large rocks.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
NTSB Identification: WPR11CA177
This March 2011 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Edward, I certainly hear what you’re saying, that got my attention also … but consider there could be other factors involved that weren’t stated such as perhaps the quality of instruction was lacking or possibly the students hours were accumulated over several years due to starts & stops of his training or maybe a combination of factors.
I know a now instrument rated, with hi-performance endorsement, pilot who required about 150 hrs. before getting the Private ticket and probably close to 60 hrs. to get the Instrument. This was over about a 3-4 year period and having several different instructors probably didn’t help either. I don’t know the pilot well, however, from all indications this pilot seems to be a relatively competent and safe pilot now.
Is that a typo? The time proportions look off to me. If a person needs 91 hours of dual time, and 39 hours of solo before a check ride, it would suggest that flying may not be their thing. It is puzzling to me that the student was not told this a long time before the fateful flight. Oh well, at least it was only the metal that got bruised; however, this is another black mark in safety record of general aviation.